It didn't make her grow arrogant from favor, nor did it let her take things for granted.
On the contrary, precisely because of this special relationship,
she became even more cautious,
terrified that any misstep would leave a poor impression on Jiang Cheng.
Especially with Zhao Yihan present, Chen Jiaxue's sense of crisis intensified.
Thanks to the exceptionally generous pay of this job,
people subconsciously feel the urge to ingratiate themselves and cling to their employer.
After all, everyone wants to keep such an enviable position and enjoy the benefits it brings.
Driven by this mindset, they grow more afraid than usual of losing this coveted opportunity.
Just like Chen Jiaxue—when faced with the threat of unemployment, she panicked completely.
"Y-Young Master Jiang, I'm sorry! There aren't any straws on board wide enough for the pearls, so I…" Chen Jiaxue's voice trembled with obvious anxiety.
She explained while sneaking glances at Jiang Cheng, gauging his reaction.
Standing nearby, Zhao Yihan wore a faint look of schadenfreude.
Her eyes brimmed with mockery and triumph directed at Chen Jiaxue.
It's a common workplace phenomenon.
Sometimes playing it safe slows promotion,
but being overly conscientious can backfire.
As the saying goes: the more you do, the more mistakes you make.
From Qiu Yihe's perspective, from the moment she first saw Chen Jiaxue greet Jiang Cheng,
she sensed an unusual invitation in Chen Jiaxue's manner.
Yet when she noticed Chen Jiaxue's lowered lashes fluttering like butterfly wings,
Qiu Yihe felt puzzled again.
"No worries; drinking it this way is kind of novel."
"Next time I'll be perfectly prepared…"
After Chen Jiaxue and Zhao Yihan turned back toward the galley, Qiu Yihe asked Jiang Cheng, "I'm a bit curious—who do you think is prettier?"
Jiang Cheng found Qiu Yihe's question silly.
One girl rated an 89, the other a 90—barely any difference.
The only real contrast was bust size.
But only kids have to choose; adults want them all.
Still, as a decent man,
he couldn't say that outright in front of Qiu Yihe.
Jiang Cheng studied her for a moment, then delivered the textbook answer.
"I think you're prettier than both of them."
His reply didn't address her question at all,
yet it made her cheeks flush crimson
and her heart pound wildly—
proving the old line: sincere hearts go unnoticed; only slick moves win hearts.
Thanks to her unique profession, Qiu Yihe was an expert at spotting micro-expressions of deceit.
According to criminal psychology,
when people lie, facial muscles stiffen slightly,
the eyes dart or glaze, and the nostrils flare.
But when Jiang Cheng spoke, his gaze was steady, his expression natural and relaxed,
his face completely at ease.
That suggested his compliment carried little, if any, deceit.
In the end, Qiu Yihe couldn't withstand Jiang Cheng's burning stare
and looked away first.
"I didn't ask you that."
After the unexpected flirt, Jiang Cheng hit the brakes in time,
feigning fatigue with a yawn.
"Sigh, I'm beat. Want to rest? You saw there are rooms here."
Seeing Jiang Cheng leap to this topic,
Qiu Yihe clearly couldn't keep up.
"Huh? Oh… if you're tired, go ahead; I'll rest later…"
Jiang Cheng knew her heart was surging,
but he didn't care—or rather, that was exactly the effect he wanted.
Watching him saunter off toward the guest room without a care,
Qiu Yihe's face twisted in frustration.
What the hell??
One second he's gazing at her soulfully, the next he's off to bed.
What kind of tactic is this??
The little scumbag tosses out a sweet line, then strolls away.
He's carefree, so why does her heart feel so odd?
Jiang Cheng headed down the corridor to the guest room,
but before he reached it,
Chen Jiaxue hurried after him from the galley,
eyes rimmed red yet forcing a smile, hair tips damp with warm mist from the lounge.
She looked straight at him and said earnestly,
"If Young Master Jiang wishes to rest, the bed is already scented…"
Her trailing tone was soft, like crushed grievance wrapped in honey.